🧬 G-Expressions
The Universal Computational Substrate for AI-Native Programming
"you don't give a dolphin acid and try to teach it to speak english!" - probably nobody
What are G-Expressions?
G-Expressions (Generative Expressions) are a minimal, self-bootstrapping computational framework that serves as a universal intermediate representation between AI-generated semantic intentions and executable code. They consist of just four fundamental building blocks:
{"g": "lit", "v": value} Literal values {"g": "ref", "v": "name"} References to bound names {"g": "app", "v": {...}} Function applications {"g": "vec", "v": [...]} Vectors of G-Expressions Why G-Expressions Matter
🤖 AI-Native Programming
Unlike traditional code generation where LLMs generate text that hopefully parses, G-Expressions allow AI to generate semantic intentions that are guaranteed to be structurally valid.
🔄 Universal Compilation
One G-Expression can unfurl to multiple target languages: JavaScript for frontends, Python for APIs, SQL for databases, Rust for systems programming.
📜 Computational Archaeology
Every G-Expression carries complete provenance - you know exactly how, when, and by whom each piece of computation was generated.
🔀 Self-Modifying Systems
G-Expressions enable hot-swapping of running functions and A/B testing at the semantic level, not just the implementation level.
Basic Examples
Simple Arithmetic
(2 * 3) + 4 - demonstrates nested function applications
{
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "+"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "*"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 2
},
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 3
}
]
}
}
},
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 4
}
]
}
}
} Structure Breakdown:
Lambda Function
A function that multiplies two parameters
{
"g": "lam",
"v": {
"params": [
"x",
"y"
],
"body": {
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "*"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "ref",
"v": "x"
},
{
"g": "ref",
"v": "y"
}
]
}
}
}
}
} Structure Breakdown:
Fibonacci Sequence
Complete recursive Fibonacci implementation with pattern matching
{
"g": "fix",
"v": {
"g": "lam",
"v": {
"params": [
"fib"
],
"body": {
"g": "lam",
"v": {
"params": [
"n"
],
"body": {
"g": "match",
"v": {
"expr": {
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "<="
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "ref",
"v": "n"
},
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 1
}
]
}
}
},
"branches": [
{
"pattern": {
"lit_pattern": true
},
"result": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "n"
}
},
{
"pattern": "else_pattern",
"result": {
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "+"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "fib"
},
"args": {
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "-"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "ref",
"v": "n"
},
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 1
}
]
}
}
}
}
},
{
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "fib"
},
"args": {
"g": "app",
"v": {
"fn": {
"g": "ref",
"v": "-"
},
"args": {
"g": "vec",
"v": [
{
"g": "ref",
"v": "n"
},
{
"g": "lit",
"v": 2
}
]
}
}
}
}
}
]
}
}
}
}
]
}
}
}
}
}
}
} Structure Breakdown:
The Bootstrap Process
G-Expressions bootstrap in three elegant stages:
- Prime Mover: Minimal interpreter with basic axioms (
cons,car,cdr,id,eq?,cond) - Genesis Context: Foundational definitions loaded as G-Expressions
- Self-Hosting: The unfurler becomes a G-Expression evaluated by itself
This creates a computational substrate that can represent and modify its own structure while running.
Revolutionary Implications
G-Expressions represent a paradigm shift toward:
- Formal Verification: Mathematical properties provable on the intermediate representation
- Universal Interoperability: One semantic representation, infinite execution targets
- Complete Auditability: Full computational lineage for compliance and debugging
- Evolutionary Software: Systems that can improve themselves while maintaining correctness
Ready to Explore?
G-Expressions offer a structured approach to computational representation that bridges the gap between AI-generated logic and executable code across multiple programming environments.